Denton County officials say five measles cases linked to Tarrant County outbreak

On Wednesday Denton County health officials confirmed five measles
cases linked to the 11 in Tarrant County. Denton County Health
Department spokesperson Sarah McKinney says the five are between the
ages of 9 and 17, and all live “in the Justin area.”

McDonald said it’s not clear how they’re linked to the Tarrant County cases, which have been traced to Eagle Mountain International Church.
But, she said, “the disease is highly contagious. If you’re in the
room with someone who has it, you have a 90 percent chance of having it.
They could have been in the same room, even two hours after.”

As we reported this morning, church officials confirmed Tuesday that a
person who was exposed to the infectious disease while on a mission
trip to Indonesia recently visited the church, but isn’t a member.
Nevertheless, said Robert Hayes, the church’s risk manager, he shook
hands with a number of people. And, “apparently, he gave a number of
people a big hug.”

McKinney said Tarrant County reported the cases to Denton County
earlier in the week, but “everything was confirmed today. This is a good example of health departments sharing
information”

Denton saw two cases of measles earlier in the year, but they
were not related to the current outbreak. McKinney said records show no
cases in Denton County since at least 2000; state health officials are
currently trying to find further information concerning cases in Denton.

“We continue working with the state and other counties as part of the
investigation and taking reports from physicians and labs,” McKinney said. “This is a good time to remind the public to check your
vaccination records. If you and your child aren’t up to date, go see
your doctor.”

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